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Do you have trouble picking the right colors when it’s time to repaint the outside of your home?

Does the thought of choosing the wrong colors scare you silly?

The dizzying array of color choices are enough to give a homeowner a case of chromophobia, the fear of colors. How do you decide what colors to use when there are so many options?

At $50 a gallon or more for quality exterior latex, you can’t afford to make a mistake. And if you don’t like the colors, your neighbors probably won’t either; colors have public impact -- you’re not the only one who has to live with them.

But a little research and planning can help you get started with the confidence that the final paint job is one that you – and your neighbors -- will be pleased with.

But don’t just take your painter’s suggestions, and don’t chicken out by choosing the same colors as the house down the street. Get past the fear with these simple steps for figuring out how to give the outside of your home the perfect new look.

Field, Trim, and Accent

A good exterior paint scheme has 3 colors.

An existing house isn’t a blank canvas – after all, you’re not changing the color of the roof, the brick or stone, and maybe not even the windows (if they’re vinyl or aluminum clad). Roofs and masonry walls are large areas of unbroken color and natural starting points for creating a palette.

An exterior paint scheme should be made up of at least three colors: The field, or large areas such as walls or roofs. The trim, which are corner boards, window trim, fascias, rakes, etc. The accent, or specific elements including doors, shutters, and other architectural features.

Field colors make up the majority of what you’ll see on the house and will lead you to the choice of trim and accent.

Are you trying to make your house look a little more prominent on the street? A lighter field color will make it look larger; a darker color will visually shrink it. Lighter colors can also make a house look visually flimsy, while darker colors can give it a strong, solid appearance.

But it’s the trim color that can make or break the scheme. Painting the trim the same color as the field can work in some cases, but it can also give the house an “unfinished” or “wedding cake” look. Darker trim – especially around the windows – can cause a “frame” effect, where the windows look like pictures hung on a wall.

Keeping the trim lighter than the field is almost always a safe bet.

Gutters, downspouts, and similar elements should usually be painted the trim color to help them “disappear” into the background.